The Virginia Declaration of Rights:

June 12, 1776

I That all men are by nature equally free and independent, and have certain
inherent rights, of which, when they enter into a state of society, they cannot, by
any compact, deprive or divest their posterity; namely, the enjoyment of life and
liberty, with the means of acquiring and possessing property, and pursuing and
obtaining happiness and safety.
II That all power is vested in, and consequently derived from, the people; that
magistrates are their trustees and servants, and at all times amenable to them.
III That government is, or ought to be, instituted for the common beneft,
protection, and security of the people, nation or community; of all the various
modes and forms of government that is best, which is capable of producing the
greatest degree of happiness and safety and is most efectually secured against
the danger of maladministration; and that, whenever any government shall be
found inadequate or contrary to these purposes, a majority of the community hath
an indubitable, unalienable, and indefeasible right to reform, alter or abolish it, in
such manner as shall be judged most conducive to the public weal.
I That no man, or set of men, are entitled to e!clusive or separate emoluments or
privileges from the community, but in consideration of public services; which, not
being descendible, neither ought the o"ces of magistrate, legislator, or judge be
hereditary.
That the legislative and e!ecutive powers of the state should be separate and
distinct from the judicative; and, that the members of the two frst may be
restrained from oppression by feeling and participating the burthens of the people,
they should, at f!ed periods, be reduced to a private station, return into that body
from which they were originally ta#en, and the vacancies be supplied by frequent,
certain, and regular elections in which all, or any part of the former members, to
be again eligible, or ineligible, as the laws shall direct.
I That elections of members to serve as representatives of the people in assembly
ought to be free; and that all men, having su"cient evidence of permanent
common interest with, and attachment to, the community have the right of
sufrage and cannot be ta!ed or deprived of their property for public uses without
their own consent or that of their representatives so elected, nor bound by any law
to which they have not, in li#e manner, assented, for the public good.
II That all power of suspending laws, or the e!ecution of laws, by any authority
without consent of the representatives of the people is injurious to their rights and
ought not to be e!ercised.
III That in all capital or criminal prosecutions a man hath a right to demand the
cause and nature of his accusation to be confronted with the accusers and
witnesses, to call for evidence in his favor, and to a speedy trial by an impartial
jury of his vicinage, without whose unanimous consent he cannot be found guilty,
nor can he be compelled to give evidence against himself; that no man be
deprived of his liberty e!cept by the law of the land or the judgement of his peers.
I$ That e!cessive bail ought not to be required, nor e!cessive fnes imposed; nor
cruel and unusual punishments in%icted.
$ That general warrants, whereby any o"cer or messenger may be commanded to
search suspected places without evidence of a fact committed, or to sei&e any
person or persons not named, or whose ofense is not particularly described and
supported by evidence, are grievous and oppressive and ought not to be granted.
$I That in controversies respecting property and in suits between man and man,
the ancient trial by jury is preferable to any other and ought to be held sacred.
$II That the freedom of the press is one of the greatest bulwar#s of liberty and can
never be restrained but by despotic governments.
$III That a well regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained to
arms, is the proper, natural, and safe defense of a free state; that standing armies,
in time of peace, should be avoided as dangerous to liberty; and that, in all cases,
the military should be under strict subordination to, and be governed by, the civil
power.
$I That the people have a right to uniform government; and therefore, that no
government separate from, or independent of, the government of irginia, ought to
be erected or established within the limits thereof.
$ That no free government, or the blessings of liberty, can be preserved to any
people but by a frm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, frugality, and
virtue and by frequent recurrence to fundamental principles.
$I That religion, or the duty which we owe to our 'reator and the manner of
discharging it, can be directed by reason and conviction, not by force or violence;
and therefore, all men are equally entitled to the free e!ercise of religion,
according to the dictates of conscience; and that it is the mutual duty of all to
practice 'hristian forbearance, love, and charity towards each other.
(dopted unanimously )une *+, *,,-
irginia 'onvention of .elegates
drafted by /r. 0eorge /ason